Briarcliff Manor schools budget may cut 50 jobs

Mar. 21, 2013

Written by

Robert Marchant

BRIARCLIFF MANOR — School authorities are preparing the final outlines of a budget that is set to eliminate roughly 50 positions, while maintaining sports programs and boosting some educational offerings.

After looking at three possible scenarios, the Board of Education is focusing on a version that should come close to last year’s budget of $47.6 million while exceeding the state-mandated tax cap. The board has so far cut about 7 percent in spending as part of the budget process, in order to keep up with rising costs associated with state-mandated pensions obligations.

“We still have more work to do,” said school board President Sal Maglietta. “We’re focused on doing the right thing, educationally, and to be as fiscally responsible as possible.”

The administration is not looking at major cuts in the modified sports program, which had caused community concern, Maglietta said. The district’s Pathways program, an enrichment program at the Todd Elementary School, will be expanded into the middle grades.

On the revenue side, the district is expecting another $132,000 in state aid. The district’s principals and assistant principals have agreed not to take raises.

On the cutting side, the district is looking to eliminate 50.5 staff positions, mainly through termination, a few others through retirement. The cuts will affect 34 teaching assistant positions, seven teaching positions and a handful of support roles. The reduced labor costs amount to about $3.1 million.

The board is still working on finding new revenues or cuts.

“We still have a gap of about $1.3 million,” Maglietta said.

The district is looking at a 6 percent increase over last year’s tax levy at this stage of the budget discussions. Negotiations with the teachers’ union are also a factor in the final spending plan.

The process behind the budget has been watched closely, with concerns about cuts in educational programs being aired, as well as apprehension over higher taxes.

One resident, Paul Wasserman, has been critical of the process, saying he believes the district has reserves in some areas that could be exploited, and that it is taking in more than it needs.

“It looks like our new school board wants to return to the old ways of over-budgeting and over-taxing,” Wasserman said.

Maglietta said that was not the case. “I wish I had the opportunity to over-budget — we‘re looking under every rock.”

The board is looking to prepare a last draft by April 8, and the final budget needs to be ready April 22. A vote is scheduled May 21.